What is the simplest way of helping your pupils understand life in the Middle East?

The problem with the Middle East is that it is not so much a question of what is happening – but rather why it is happening. And, of course, the “why?” questions are always the hardest ones to face.

Indeed a quick glance at virtually all of today’s news media will show that much of the time the media does not cover the issue “why?” at all, in relation to most stories.

This makes gaining an understanding of what is happening in the Middle East hard enough for adults. But for teenagers it becomes nigh on impossible, since they have followed this timeline of events for a much shorter period of time.

As a result confusion and a lack of understanding about what is going on in the Middle East is likely to be much greater.

So what can be done?

Our response was to form a charity, Middle East Education, which offers a FREE talk in your school that gives a balanced and factual look at the issues involved in the Middle East today.

We take in the differing interpretations of historical and present-day events in the region and work with the students to unravel its obvious complexity.

And what makes this approach particularly interesting for students is that it is given by two knowledgeable, articulate and lively speakers, one Muslim the other Christian or Jewish, with the talks accompanied by PowerPoint presentations containing many maps and photos, films, and animations.

Naturally questions and discussion by your students are encouraged, because our aim is not to push a particular point of view but to generate informed debate.

If you would like to find out more before registering your interest, simply visit our website where you will also find a number of free resources, including PowerPoints, activities and teachers’ notes, arranged by subject area and/or education level.

Then if you are interested in booking one of our FREE talks, simply email office@middleeastedu.co.uk with your preferred dates (ideally please do give us at least two different dates) and we’ll do our best to organise a mutually convenient time for us to visit your school.